Sabres sign prospect D Austin to 3-year contract

Austin, 6 feet 3 inches and 234 pounds, was selected by the Sabres in the seventh round of the 2012 draft.

He is coming off a career season in which he had nine goals and 24 assists in 67 games split between Belleville and London in the Ontario Hockey League. Austin also spent two seasons with the Erie Otters.

The signing was announced Thursday. NHL teams have until Sunday to sign their 2012 draft picks to retain their rights.